Lake Denny

Lake Denny is a small secluded trout fishing lake set in tussock country. It seems very small in size compared with its much larger neighbor Lake Emma. Lake Denny see very little angler attention. There is a rough 4×4 access track leading up the valley from Lake Emma. Turn off the Hakatere Potts Road 5km west from Hakatere Corner then head south past Lake Roundabout, following the eastern shoreline of Lake Emma, and from there follow the track up the valley.

Lake Denny is quite small measuring just 300 x 200 metres. The lake holds brown trout up to about 1.5kg. Lake Emma and Lake Roundabout lie within the new Hakatere Conservation Park, but Lake Denny is outside the park on Hakatere Station. Therefore anglers should first get permission from Hakatere Station before traveling to Lake Denny.

Recommended dry flies include; Coch-y-Bondhu, Loves Lure and Black Gnat. When fishing a sunken line try a Hamills Killer, Mrs Simpson or a small Yellow Rabbit lure. The bag limit for Lake Denny is 2 fish per day. This is fly fishing only water. The fishing season runs from the first Saturday in November to 30 April. There is no winter season for the Ashburton Lakes many of which freeze over during the coldest part of the year.